Southwest adds 5 non-stop routes; also expands in Phoenix

Southwest Airlines is expanding its service in the midwest, adding five daily nonstop routes to its schedule starting in the fall.
Time

Southwest Airlines will add five daily non-stop routes to its schedule. Of those, three will be daily service while two feature weekend-only service. The low-cost carrier also said it will beef up its presence in Phoenix by adding more flights to existing destinations.

Two of Southwest’s new routes will come from its base at Houston Hobby, where daily non-stop service to Columbus, Ohio, and Louisville, Ky., will begin Oct. 3.

Additionally, Southwest will add daily non-stop service between Denver and Memphis. That route also begins Oct. 3. Southwest will offer one round-trip flight each weekday on all three routes.

Two other routes – Oklahoma City-Nashville and Denver-El Paso – will get Sunday-only non-stop service.

Southwest also is turning to Phoenix for growth. The carrier did not announce new non-stop routes, but said it will add one additional weekday flight to its existing schedules on five of its “most-popular” routes there. Once the additions begin on Oct. 3, Southwest’s Phoenix schedule will change on the following routes:

Former and current United Airlines employees who had served on the Boeing 727 pose in front of the first of the type after its final flight at the Museum of Flight in Seattle on March 2, 2016.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren for USA TODAY

A delightfully dated interior graces the cabin of the first Boeing 727, which completed its last flight on March 2, 2016, in Seattle. It is now on permanent display at the Museum of Flight.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren for USA TODAY

The first Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, destined for Southwest Airlines, is seen at the parking lot of the Museum of Flight in Seattle during a 50th anniversary celebration of the 737 on April 9, 2017.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

The first Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, destined for Southwest Airlines, seen at the parking lot of the Museum of Flight in Seattle during a 50th anniversary celebration of the 737 on April 9, 2017.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

Bob Bogash, a former Boeing engineer that restored the original Boeing 737 to flight condition, hands out 737 program stickers to guests at the Museum of Flight in Seattle during a 50th anniversary celebration of the 737 on April 9, 2017.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren / special

Capt. Brien Wygle, who flew the first 737 flight on April 9, 1967, signs autographs at the Museum of Flight in Seattle during a 50th anniversary celebration of the 737 on April 9, 2017.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

Capt. Brien Wygle, who flew the first 737 flight on April 9, 1967, signs autographs at the Museum of Flight in Seattle during a 50th anniversary celebration of the 737 on April 9, 2017.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

Former United Airlines flight attendants pour sparkling juice for a toast to the Boeing 737's 50th anniversary of first flight during a party at the Museum of Flight in Seattle on April 9, 2017.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

The first Boeing 737 is seen at Seattle's Museum of Flight on April 9, 2017. That marked the 50th anniversary since the jet first took flight, back in 1967.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

Gifts and cupcakes line a table in front of the first Boeing 737, which celebrates 50 years since first flight on April 9, 2017. The party took place at Seattle's Museum of Flight.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

Capt. Brien Wygle climbs aboard the first Boeing 737 on the 50th anniversary of its first flight. during a party at Seattle's Museum of Flight. Wygle flew the first flight back in 1967.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

Boeing's original 737 maintained an illustrious carrier as a test aircraft for NASA, and at one point added an entirely separate cockpit into the main cabin for systems testing. That cockpit in a cabin is seen here aboard the aircraft, now residing at Seattle's Museum of Flight.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

The flight deck of the very first Boeing 737, seen at the Museum of Flight in Seattle on April 9, 2017 - 50 years to the day since it made its first flight.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

The flight deck of the very first Boeing 737, seen at the Museum of Flight in Seattle on April 9, 2017 - 50 years to the day since it made its first flight.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

Guests take a look inside the flight deck of the very first Boeing 737 during a rare tour opportunity at Seattle's Museum of Flight on April 9, 2017. The aircraft celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

A placard marks thanks the restoration crew of the first Boeing 737, seen at the Museum of Flight in Seattle on April 9, 2017 - 50 years to the day since it made its first flight.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

A 737 hat from back at the airplane's launch in 1967, seen during a party to celebrate the jet's 50th anniversary at the Museum of Flight in Seattle on April 9, 2017.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

The first Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, destined for Southwest Airlines, is seen at the parking lot of the Museum of Flight in Seattle during a 50th anniversary celebration of the 737 on April 9, 2017.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

The flight deck of the very first Boeing 737, seen at the Museum of Flight in Seattle on April 9, 2017 - 50 years to the day since it made its first flight.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

The first Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, destined for Southwest Airlines, is seen at the parking lot of the Museum of Flight in Seattle during a 50th anniversary celebration of the 737 on April 9, 2017.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

The first Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, destined for Southwest Airlines, is seen at the parking lot of the Museum of Flight in Seattle during a 50th anniversary celebration of the 737 on April 9, 2017.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

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Newlyweds Gene Peterson and Holly Rick wave after arriving on Delta Air Lines' final Boeing 747 flight, in Marana, Ariz. on Jan. 3, 2018. The couple met working aboard the jumbo jet nine years ago on a military charter.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

Delta Air Lines' last Boeing 747-400 passenger jet awaits its flight to the scrapyard on Jan. 3, 2018 in Atlanta. With its retirement, no U.S.-based passenger airline operates the Boeing 747 anymore.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

The crew for the last Delta Air Lines Boeing 747 flight pose for a group photo before departing Atlanta for a scrapyard in Marana, Ariz., on January 3, 2018.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

Pilot Paul Gallaher boards the last Boeing 747 flight for Delta Air Lines in Atlanta on Jan. 3, 2018. Gallaher and the jet would both retire at the end of the flight.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

Pilot Paul Gallaher checks the rooftop escape hatch aboard the last Boeing 747 flight for Delta Air Lines in Atlanta on Jan. 3, 2018. Gallaher and the jet would both retire at the end of the flight.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

Pilot Stephen Hanlon checks the wheels of a Boeing 747-400 during a pre-flight inspection in Atlanta on Jan. 3, 2018. The flight was the last Boeing 747 flight for Delta Air Lines, the last U.S. passenger airline to fly the jet.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

Pilot Stephen Hanlon checks the avionics hatch on a Boeing 747-400 during a pre-flight inspection in Atlanta on Jan. 3, 2018. The flight was the last Boeing 747 flight for Delta Air Lines, the last U.S. passenger carrier to fly the jet.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

Pilot Stephen Hanlon checks the wheels of a Boeing 747-400 during a pre-flight inspection in Atlanta on Jan. 3, 2018. The flight was the last Boeing 747 flight for Delta Air Lines, , the last U.S. passenger carrier to fly the jet.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

A note written on the tires wishes a safe landing to the last Boeing 747 flight for Delta Air Lines. The jet was flown to a scrapyard in Marana, Ariz., on Jan. 3, 2018.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

A flight attendant attaches flowers to rows of premium economy seating on board the final Boeing 747 flight for Delta Air Lines. The airline celebrated with a wedding aboard the flight.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

A flight attendant calls a colleague on the last Boeing 747 flight for Delta Air Lines on Jan. 3, 2018. The jet flew its final flight from Delta's Atlanta hub to a scrapyard in Marana, Ariz.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

A note scrawled on a bulkhead of Delta Air Lines' last Boeing 747 flight congratulates the Buffalo Bills on their playoff berth. The jet had carried the team days earlier on a sports charter before making its final flight on Jan. 3, 2018 to a scrapyard in Marana, Ariz.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

Newlyweds Gene Peterson and Holly Rick kiss after tying the knot aboard Delta Air Lines' final Boeing 747 flight, in Marana, Ariz., on Jan. 3, 2018. The couple met working aboard a 747 nine years ago on a military charter.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

Newlyweds Gene Peterson and Holly Rick kiss after tying the knot aboard Delta Air Lines' final Boeing 747 flight, in Marana, Ariz., on Jan. 3, 2018. The couple met working aboard a 747 nine years ago on a military charter.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

Newlyweds Gene Peterson and Holly Rick kiss after tying the knot aboard Delta Air Lines' final Boeing 747 flight, in Marana, Ariz., on Jan. 3, 2018. The couple met working aboard a 747 nine years ago on a military charter.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

Former Boeing 747 pilot Mike Vetter relaxes in business class aboard the last flight of the jumbo jet for Delta Air Lines while en route to the scrapyard on Jan. 3, 2018.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

A flight attendant phone lists all the possible call options aboard a Delta Air Lines Boeing 747-400. The jet was retired to a scrapyard in Marana, Ariz., on Jan. 3, 2018.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

Delta Air Lines' last Boeing 747 completes its final flight, performing a low pass over Pinal Airpark in Marana, Ariz., on Jan. 3, 2018. Numerous other recently retired Delta 747s can be seen in the background.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

Flight attendants pose for a selfie under the wing of Delta Air Lines' last Boeing 747 jumbo jet. It had just completed its retirement flight to a scrapyard in Marana, Ariz on Jan. 3, 2018
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

Mike and Anne Vetter, both Delta employees based in Detroit, pose in the engine of Delta Air Lines' last Boeing 747 jumbo jet after its retirement flight to a scrapyard in Marana, Ariz on Jan. 3, 2018
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

The cabin crew aboard Delta Air Lines' last Boeing 747 jumbo jet pose in the engine after its retirement flight to a scrapyard in Marana, Ariz on Jan. 3, 2018
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

Pilots of the Boeing 747, all of whom flew with Delta and/or Northwest over the years, pose in front of Delta Air Lines' last Boeing 747 jumbo jet . The plane had just completed its retirement flight to a scrapyard in Marana, Ariz on Jan. 3, 2018
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

Signatures cover the underbelly of the nose of Delta Air Lines' last Boeing 747 jumbo jet after its retirement flight to a scrapyard in Marana, Ariz., on Jan. 3, 2018.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

Already at the Arizona boneyard, a former Delta Air Lines Boeing 747 awaits being completely torn apart at the scrapyard in Pinal Airpark in Marana, Ariz.,on Jan. 3, 2018.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

Passengers on some of Delta's last Boeing 747 charter flights - including sports teams - were encouraged to leave farewell messages inside the plane. This one appears to have been left by the Clemson University football team.
Ben Mutzabaugh, USA TODAY